Boosted by the 2022 FIFA World Cup, revenue from the European football market is set to grow by 16% in the 2022/23 season, reaching €35.3 billion.
The 2022/23 season will be a story of momentum shifting, as it will be the first season since 2018/19 not affected by COVID-19, in part due to the international fixtures being suspended midway through the club season.
With the overall market growing to €35.3 billion, the ‘Big Five’ leagues continued to dominate in terms of percentage, accounting for €19.6 billion (56%).
The launch of the Premier League’s new international broadcast cycle saw average revenue for English top-flight clubs increase by 11% to exceed £300 million for the first time, while the full return of fans to stadiums in Germany and Italy saw clubs in the Bundesliga and Serie A record the largest growth compared to the previous season (22% each).
The fundamental importance of live events in creating magical moments for fans remains a key factor for the growth and sustainability of football and is the principle behind billions of euros being invested across the industry. To create these moments, competition must be placed at the heart of football and leagues must be well managed to ensure high levels of competition and keep fans glued to the action.
Stakeholder integration and alignment of long-term goals will be crucial for future development. Continued uncertainty at league level risks diverting investment elsewhere, be it to rival clubs, leagues, sports or other industries, as reputational risk and good governance remain paramount investor concerns.
